Fox Sports frames 2026 NFL success around rebuilding as well as Super Bowl ambitions
Fox Sports’ assessment places quarterback development, roster evaluation and long-term planning alongside championship expectations for the 2026 season.
Success in the NFL will not carry the same meaning for every team in 2026, according to an assessment by Fox Sports. Its framework ranges from developing young players and identifying a franchise quarterback to competing for the Super Bowl.
The assessment compares expectations with each team’s 2025 record and projected 2026 win total. Arizona is listed at 3–14 last season with a forecast of 3.5 wins, while Miami is projected at 4.5 wins after finishing 7–10.
Arizona is described as resetting under new coach Mike LaFleur. Fox Sports identifies Jacoby Brissett as a placeholder quarterback and says rookie Carson Beck could receive opportunities, while framing the Cardinals’ longer-term priority as finding a potential franchise quarterback and building a winning culture.
Miami’s focus is similarly tied to quarterback evaluation. Fox Sports says the Dolphins are assessing whether Malik Willis can handle a full season as a starter, with the team also seeking a new identity around a young roster. Avoiding the bottom of the AFC East is presented as a minimum benchmark.
Cleveland is projected for 5.5 wins after a 5–12 season. Fox Sports says the Browns are beginning to move on from Deshaun Watson’s contract and need to identify existing players to build around, while questioning whether first-year coach Todd Monken’s position would be secure if the team struggles.
The New York Jets are also projected for 5.5 wins after going 3–14 in 2025. Fox Sports describes Geno Smith as a stopgap and points to the team’s priority of finding a quarterback high in the 2027 draft. The supplied article is truncated during the Jets section and does not provide the full assessment of the league’s remaining teams.
